Basic requirements for the installation of drainage systems

Drainage is listed as a controlled service/fitting. Controlled services and fittings are those covered by Parts G, H, J, L or P in the government Building Regulations. These include:

• Water supplies 
• Toilets 
• Urinals 
• Hand basins 
• All sanitary fittings 
• Drainage 
• Water disposal systems 
• Fixed fuel burning heating appliances 
• Electrical installations 

What this means is that when any of these items are installed, they must be installed in accordance with the requirements of the relevant Building Regulations.

If any work carried out does not meet the minimum requirements stated within the Building Regulations, local authorities will serve a notice, ordering any defects present to be remedied. In some cases a local authority will carry out the work in default and then recover the cost.

Overview of Requirements for Drainage

The regulations detail a number of requirements, please see the following list for an overview of those relevant to plumbing drainage;

• No material may be used where there is any possibility that contamination of water could occur due to the material. 
• Water fittings must be protected from erosion and be of suitable strength and thickness 
• Water fittings must be water tight and constructed to prevent ingress by contaminants/inhibit damage by freezing as well as being adequately supported. 
• They must be capable of withstanding any internal water pressure not less than 1½ times the maximum pressure. 
• A water fitting must not be likely to have a detrimental affect on quality/pressure of water 
• Water fittings must not be embedded in any wall or concrete floor. Where laid below ground level the cover must be sufficient to prevent water freezing. 
• There is a restriction on concealed water fittings. 
• Cold water must be kept in such a way that it is not likely to be warmed above 25ºC. 
• A stop valve must be provided. 
• The supply system must be capable of being drained down. 
• The rain water system must be tested, flushed and where necessary disinfected before it is first used. 
• Any water fittings must bae identified so as to distinguish them from water supply pipes. 
• There must be adequate devices to prevent back flow. 
• The pipes supplying water to a storage system must be fitted with a valve to shut of the inflow or a system must be installed so as to minimise the risk and contamination of a store of water and they must be designed to allow free circulation. 
• Appropriate feed pipes must be provided for water systems. 
• There must be a temperature device to prevent water heating above 100ºC. 
• Provision must be made for expansion valves etc in water systems. 
• A w.c. must be supplied with a water flushing system, by a single flush. 
• There must be at least one tap conveniently situated for drinking water. 
• Every bath, wash hand basin, sink or similar must be provided with a watertight plug, subject to certain specified exceptions. 

Foul Drainage

Document H1 (page 17) details the requirements for foul drainage, with information on; bedding and backfilling, rigid pipes, and flexible pipes. This document explains what rate of bedding factor is needed for rigid pipes, flexible pipes and variations for different types of ground. Also detailed are types of appropriate fill material and to what depth should be filled.

Drainage Pipework Requirements

There is a detailed section on pipes including; clayware pipes, concrete pipes, and thermoplastics.

Detailing; the measurements dependant on the nominal size (width of the pipe) laid in fields, laid in light roads, and laid in main roads.

Additionally, H1 details what pipe protection is needed for all kinds of pipes and at all depths. Access points are of course vital when installing drainage, such as; rodding eyes, manholes, inspection chambers, and access fittings, there is a guide to; depth, length and thickness of pipe.

Brief Overview of Health Safety Issues 1

Electrical

Electrical shocks are a common risk for many building sites and it’s a rare risk assessment that does not mention them in some regard. Couple this with the fact that the vast majority of shocks are non-fatal and result in little more than a light sting and you have a recipe for underestimating danger.

The HSE is warning contractors about this very danger to try and end electrocutions of engineers. They believe that vigilance and a commitment to following best practice will be enough to prevent shocks of any kind.

That’s what we believe at BPM Maintenance too; our Health & Safety Manager holds regular toolbox talks and a common theme is the dangers of electrical currents.  The Manager trains our operatives to never underestimate the risk involved and treat it just as seriously as working at height or with gas; even if the danger is not always as obvious.

As technology evolves and the use of electricity becomes ever more integrated with our lifestyles, awareness and caution of currents become ever more important for any building worker.  Our electrical engineers are always provided with the most up to date training and relevant information for all areas of electrical works that we deal with. Additionally, all of our operatives receive electrical awareness training to keep

Asbestos

Asbestos is a real and present danger in the UK.  Due to its unique fire proofing abilities it was used prolifically in the building of residential dwellings and commercial buildings during the 1960’s and the 1970’s. 

It was later discovered that the inhalation of asbestos fibres causes serious illness and often death.  Diseases caused by asbestos include; Non malignant pleural disease, Asbestosis, Asbestos related lung cancer and Mesothelioma.

Asbestos can be found all over a building, it is mostly found where an area has been made to be fire retardant, such as, meter cupboards, fuse boxes and in commercial buildings some riser cupboards.  It was also used in floor tiles and for rainwater items, such as roof gutters, soffits and downpipes.

At BPM we do the following to manage asbestos:

• All of our engineers have taken a training course on dealing with asbestos in buildings
•  Engineers ensure that works carried out are not significantly dangerous enough to warrant using a licensed contractor
• Protective equipment and clothing is always used where appropriate
• Waste is dealt with cleanly and safely, for example clearing as they go and double bagging waste, and finally disposing of as per regulations.

Working at Height

All of our on-site representatives know that working at height means any height where if somebody was to fall, personal injury would be caused.

Every time an operative from BPM Maintenance works at height they ensure that:

• All equipment used is properly maintained and regularly inspected.
• Any risks from working on or near fragile surfaces are managed.
• All jobs are properly organised and planned so that any potential dangers are highlighted before works have started.

Part P: Making your Electrical Installation Safe

Part P is one of a series of documents approved by the Secretary of State (of the UK Government). Each document in the series is ordered by lettering; therefore Part P is the sixteenth approved document. The purpose of the documents is to explain to builders how to meet the Building Regulations 2010 for England. Although it not necessary to follow everything in Part P or any other approved document, you still have to comply with the Building Regulations, and the approved documents offer perhaps the best way of doing that.

Part P focuses on electrical safety; designing and installing electrical installations such that anyone who interacts with them is safe from injury.

Injury Risk Sources:

• Electric shock. 
• Fire hazards. 
• Mechanical damage. 
• Thermal damage. 

Electrical Inspections of Installation Work

One key part of the Building Regulations about electrical safety is that for an installation to be deemed safe, it has to be inspected by a ‘competent’ person. If you’re getting an electrician to do the job for you, then hopefully he is Part P certified (all of BPM Maintenance’s electricians are), because then he will be deemed a competent person and self-certify any work he carries out.

If whoever carried out the electrical installation isn't a competent person, then you’ll have to get certificate from a registered third party or a building control body, otherwise your DIY job will be breaking the Building Regulations 2010 legislation. That means if you do a DIY installation, then it turns out it isn't safe and someone gets injured, you’re going to have a bad time (not to mention your newly electrocuted friend).

Third Party Inspection

A registered third party could be an electrician who inspects your work when you’re done. If you’re going with this route, then you will need to arrange for this certification to happen within 5 days of work completion.

Building Control Body Inspection

If you want certification from a building control body, then you will need to arrange this before you start. A building control body will be part of your local authority. This body will ask you for your qualifications and competence with regards to electrical installations and then arrange for inspections to be carried out to ensure the installation is safe.

It’ll depend on your local building control body, but applications for electrical inspections can take weeks or longer to process with charges of £200+ or more.